The choice of the title contains the quintessence of the conflict between man and the sea ( the environment) which is the all-powerful force, which gives, and in return, swallows its own children. The fishermen turn to the sea, again and again for a living, notwithstanding the sacrifices. The fishermen are all its riders, here and in tradition.

Synge brings in the sea in place of fate and juxtaposes the sea with fate. The sea becomes the nemesis against whom the doomed mankind must find a provider.